That I account them blessings; for by these Enter FLAMINIUS, SERVILIUS, and other Servants. Ser. My lord, my lord, Timon. I will despatch you severally.-You, to lord Lucius;-to lord Lucullus you; I hunted with his honor to-day ;-you, to Sempronius: commend me to their loves; and, I am proud, say, that my occasions have found time to use them toward a supply of money: let the request be fifty talents. Flam. As you have said, my lord. Flav. Lord Lucius and Lucullus? humph! [aside. Timon. Go you, sir, [to another Servant.] to the senators, (Of whom, even to the state's best health, I have Deserved this hearing) bid 'em send o' the instant A thousand talents to me. Flav. I have been bold 1 (For that I knew it the most general 1 way) Timon. Is 't true? can it be? 1 Compendious. Flav. They answer, in a joint and corporate voice, That now they are at fall, want treasure, cannot able, But yet they could have wish'd-they know not but Something hath been amiss-a noble nature May catch a wrench: would all were well!—'tis pity:- And so, intending1 other serious matters, After distasteful looks, and these hard fractions, They froze me into silence. Timon. You gods, reward them!— I pr'ythee, man, look cheerly: these old fellows Have their ingratitude in them hereditary : Their blood is caked, 'tis cold, it seldom flows; 'Tis lack of kindly warmth, they are not kind; And nature, as it grows again toward earth, Is fashion'd for the journey, dull, and heavy. Go to Ventidius,-[to a Servant.] Pr'ythee, [to Flavius.] be not sad; 3 Thou art true and honest; ingeniously 3 I speak, No blame belongs to thee.-[to a Servant.] Ventidius lately Buried his father; by whose death, he's stepp'd 1 Attending to. 2 Abrupt remarks. Into a great estate: when he was poor, I clear'd him with five talents: greet him from me Bid him suppose, some good necessity Touches his friend, which craves to be remember'd With those five talents: that had, [to Flavius.] give it these fellows, To whom 'tis instant due. Ne'er speak, or think, That Timon's fortunes 'mongst his friends can sink. Flav. I would, I could not think it. That thought is bounty's foe; Being free1 itself, it thinks all others so. [Exeunt. ACT II I. SCENE I. The same. A room in Lucullus's house. FLAMINIUS waiting. Enter a SERVANT to him. Ser. I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you. Flam. I thank you, sir. Enter LUCULLUS. Ser. Here's my lord. Lucul. [aside.] One of lord Timon's men? a gift, 1 Liberal. I warrant. Why, this hits right; I dreamt of a silver bason and ewer to-night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively 1 welcome, sir. -Fill me some wine. [Exit Servant.] And how does that honorable, complete, free-hearted gentleman of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master? Flam. His health is well, sir. Lucul. I am right glad that his health is well, sir. And what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius ? Flam. Faith, nothing but an empty box, sir; which, in my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your honor to supply; who, having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him; nothing doubting your present assistance therein. Lucul. La, la, la, la,—nothing doubting, says he? alas, good lord! a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not keep so good a house. Many a time and often I have dined with him, and told him on 't; and come again to supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty 2 is his : I have told him on 't, but I could never get him from it. : Respectfully. 2 Honesty here means liberality. Re-enter SERVANT, with wine. Ser. Please your lordship, here is the wine. Lucul. Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise. Here's to thee. Flam. Your lordship speaks your pleasure. Lucul. I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit,-give thee thy due,—and one that knows what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if the time use thee well: good parts in thee.—Get you gone, sirrah! [to the Servant, who goes out.] Draw nearer, honest Flaminius. Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman: but thou art wise; and thou knowest well enough, although thou comest to me, that this is no time to lend money; especially upon bare friendship, without security. Here's three solidares for thee; good boy, wink at me, and say, thou saw'st me not. Fare thee well. Flam. Is 't possible, the world should so much differ; And we alive, that lived? Fly, damned baseness, To him that worships thee. [throwing the money away. Lucul. Ha! Now I see, thou art a fool, and fit for thy master. [Exit Lucullus. Flam. May these add to the number that may scald thee! Let molten coin be thy damnation, i. e. in so short a time. |